Protection device for timers

ABSTRACT

A protection device for timers includes a box composed of a base and a cover, a timer is located in the base of the box and the cover has a lock which is cooperated with a fixed plate in the base to lock the cover to the base. The timer is electrically connected with a cable which extends out from the box and has a receptacle into which a plug plugs. The box has a slot which is smaller than the plug so that the plug cannot be removed out from the box.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a protection device for avoid the setting of a timer from being changed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Timers are used widely in today's life to control the timing of “ON” and “OFF” of electric appliances. The timers can be set to cut the electric power from the electric appliances on desired date and time. Some parents use the timers to control the televisions and computers so that children do not spend too much time on these modern appliances. The timers can also be used to control the lights outside the house so that the lights turn on and off regularly even if no one at home.

However, the setting of the timers can be easily changed because the timers are accessible by anyone and do not have a proper locking means to prevent the unauthorized change.

The present invention intends to provide a protection device for timers so that the timer is locked in the box and cannot be accessible when the box is locked.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a protection device for timers and comprises a box which has a lock to lock a timer in the box. The timer is electrically connected with a cable which extends out from the box. The timer further has a receptacle so that a plug plugs in the receptacle to power the timer. The box has a slot which is mounted to the plug and smaller than the plug so that the plug cannot be removed out from the box.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a protection device for timers wherein the box locks the timer in the box and the plug connected to the timer cannot be pulled out from the box. The timer cannot be accessible so that the setting of the timer cannot be changed.

The present invention will become more obvious from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which show, for purposes of illustration only, a preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view to show the protection device and the timer of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view to show that the timer is located in the box of the present invention, wherein the cover is not yet locked;

FIG. 3 shows the second embodiment of the protection device and the timer of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view to show the third embodiment of the protection device and the timer of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view to show that the timer is located in the box of the present invention in FIG. 4, and

FIG. 6 shows that the cover of the third embodiment of the protection device of the present invention is opened.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the protection device for timers of the present invention comprises a box 10 including a base 11 and a cover 12 which is pivotably connected to the base 11. The timer 20 is received in the base 11. A lock 122 is connected to the cover 12 and the base 11 includes a fixed plate 111, the lock 122 has a locking piece 123 which is engaged with the fixed plate 111 to lock the cover 12 to the base 11. The users can use a key to lock or unlock the lock 122 from the top of the cover 12. A slot 121 is defined through the cover 12 and has a width “d”.

The timer 20 is electrically connected with a cable 21 which extends through a through hole 112 defined through a wall of the base 11 so as to be connected to a power source (not shown) outside the box 10. A receptacle 22 is connected with the timer 20 and a plug “P” plugs in the receptacle 22 to power the timer 20. A top portion of the plug “P” is by the slot 121 whose width “d” is smaller than the plug “P” so that the plug “P” cannot be removed out from the box 10 when the cover 12 is locked to the base 11.

By this protection device, the timer 20 is protected in the box 10 and its setting cannot be changed or cancelled. The timer 20 can be set to operate within 24 hours and/or a week.

FIG. 3 shows the second embodiment of the protection device of the present invention, wherein the slot 121A is defined through a wall of the base of the box 10A and the receptacle 22A is located at an end of the timer 20A, so that the cable 21A connected with the plug extends through the slot 121A.

FIGS. 4 to 6 show the third embodiment of the protection device of the present invention, wherein the cover 12B of the box 10B is fixed to the base 11B by at least one bolt 3B. In this embodiment, the base 11B includes a fixing frame 113B which includes two threaded holes 114B and the bolts 3B extend through the cover 10B and are fixed to the two threaded holes 114B to connect the cover 12B to the base 11B. The cover 12 b includes a window 124B through which the timer 20B extends and located beyond the top of the cover 12B. A protection cap 4B is pivotably connected to the cover 10B so as to cover the timer 20B and the bolts 3B as shown in FIG. 6.

The lock 122B is located on the top of the cover 10B and locks a hole 41B in the protection cap 4B such that the timer 20B and the bolts 3B can only be accessed by authorized persons by using a key to unlock the lock 122B.

While we have shown and described the embodiment in accordance with the present invention, it should be clear to those skilled in the art that further embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. 

1. A protection device for timers, comprising: a box having a lock to lock a timer in the box, the timer electrically connected with a cable which extends out from the box, a receptacle connected with the timer and a plug plugging in the receptacle, the box having a slot which is mounted to the plug and smaller than the plug so that the plug cannot be removed out from the box.
 2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the box includes a base and a cover which is pivotably connected to the base, the timer is received in the base, the lock is connected to the cover and the base includes a fixed plate, the lock has a locking piece which is engaged with the fixed plate to lock the cover to the base.
 3. The device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the slot is defined through the cover.
 4. The device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the slot is defined through the base.
 5. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the timer is set to operate within 24 hours.
 6. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the timer is set to operate within a week.
 7. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the timer extends beyond a top of the cover which is fixed to the base by at least one bolt, a protection cap is connected to the box and covers the timer and the bolts, the lock locks the protection cap.
 8. The device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the cover is fixed to the base by two bolts.
 9. The device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the protection cap is pivotably connected to the cover. 